Download Ranking-of-Cell

Cellular Structure and Function
Rank the following cell parts (organelles) from most important job (1) to least important job (6).
After you do the individual ranking, you’ll be working in small groups to try to persuade others of
your ranking. Therefore, as you do your ranking you should be thinking about the principles that
inform your ranking and how you’ll explain and defend them to others. Consider WHAT job is
performed by each cell part and HOW each job is contributing to the overall performance of the
cell.
______ A. A window screen in your home allows air to pass through while keeping insects out. The
cell membrane, also known as the plasma membrane has pretty much the same job. The cell
membrane is the thin, flexible boundary between the cell and its watery environment. Nutrients
enter the cell and wastes leave the cell through the cell membrane. The cell membrane allows some
substances to pass through while keeping others out.
______ B. The cell wall is found only in plant cells and bacteria. It is a mesh of carbohydrate fibers
called cellulose that surrounds the cell membrane. It protects and supports plant and bacterial cells.
______ C. Chloroplasts are organelles (cell parts) that capture light energy and convert it to
chemical energy (glucose/sugar) through a process called photosynthesis. Plants use light energy
from any light source, usually solar. Animal cells do not have chloroplasts and cannot use the Sun’s
energy as fuel for cell processes.
______ D. The organelles that convert fuel particles such as sugar into usable energy are called
Mitochondria. A mitochondrion (singular version of mitochondria) has an outer membrane and an
inner membrane with many folds. The membrane provides a large surface area for breaking the
bonds for sugar molecules. Energy is produced when the bonds are broken.
______ E. The Nucleus is the cell’s managing structure. Most of the cell’s DNA is in the nucleus.
DNA defines the cell and controls protein production. A nuclear envelope surrounds the nucleus.
Substances pass through the nuclear envelope to move in and out of the nucleus.
______ F. Ribosomes produce proteins and are made of two components – RNA and protein.
Ribosomes are produced in the nucleolus, a structure located inside the nucleus. Some ribosomes
float freely in the cytoplasm. They produce proteins that will be used by other cells. Other
ribosomes attach to an organelle called the endoplasmic reticulum.